Guitar #1

After three weeks of applying the finish, my first guitar is finally done.

The top is made of Spruce, while the back and sides are of Indian Rosewood. The neck is Sapele, with a Macassar Ebony fingerboard. The inlay is made of wood fiber sheets and the binding is Ebony.

This is a very big learning experience; from using a hand plane, scraper, chisel, bending wood, and finishing. And I still have a lot of details to learn and work on. To quote a teacher of mine, “I would like to see it as if it has grown into the created object”, which I think I still have not achieved, but hope to get to. I just hope it won’t take me another five months to make another.

I am happy with it. Although, right now, the sound is not “open” yet. I’ve read that spruce will take some time to “open up”. Other than that, I could say that I will now be playing with this one, I created, instead of the guitar I’ve been using for four years now.

Bob – the guitar is finished with a French Polish technique I found online. It took eight sessions to build up the coat. Then I used 3M Rubbing Compound followed by Meguiar’s Show Car Glaze 7.

David – I know what you mean about guitars and planes (reasons I’ve been avoiding Ebay recently). However, this one is not for sale. Keeping this first one as a reminder/reference or starting point, or maybe I am just a bit sentimental over this first one. Anyway, I have already started working on a second guitar project. :)

Willie – Sorry, I’m not really familiar with the 000 body shape, but based on what I’ve seen on CF Martin’s site, I guess the shape/fullness of the lower bout and waist are a bit similar. The plan I used is based on a classical/flamenco guitar made in 1933 by a Spanish maker. As for the sound, all I could say is that it “rings” (I hope I’m making any sense). On my old guitar, there are notes that suddenly go “thump”, while on this new one I could go up on the fingerboard and could still get good sustain. Also, it is louder than the old one I have.

Sheri – Thank you very much. Don’t worry, before you know it you’ll have yours done and be playing wonderful music with it. It is a very exciting experience to create something that, after it has been made, produces sound and under the hands of a player makes music (again, I hope I make sense). I’ll be watching out for your guitar! :)

Originally from Martin (and still to this day), but copied by others (of course).

000-1: Slightly smaller in all dimensions than a dreadnought guitar (the “standard” acoustic guitar), solid Sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back, laminated mahogany sides, tortoiseshell binding, rosewood fingerboard.000-15: Base model of the upper end Martin Guitar line. All mahogany or sapele construction. ‘A Frame’ “X” top bracing, 14 frets clear, Optional model 000-15S 12 frets clear.000-28EC8 and 000-28ECB: Two of the five “Eric Clapton” models. Same size as the 000-15, constructed with higher-quality woods (especially the more expensive 000-28ECB constructed from the extremely rare Brazilian species of rosewood, hence the “B”), a different shape to the neck, and more ornamentation around the edge of the body.000-18: Mahogany body guitar similar to the 000-28, but with more warmth, brought by the lower frequencies available to mahogany.The 000-28EC is one of Martin’s most popular guitars; unlike the bigger dreadnoughts, the 000-28EC is nearer to the size of a Spanish guitar, with a slimmer body and wider fretboard.

Hey, Joseff I know you are just getting started, but it will help you immensely to know the history of the Gibson and Martin acoustic guitars lines.

Also, you mentioned brightness and louder, etc. Knowing the woods and construction methods and the sounds that they produce will also be a learning experience. Let me tell you that without a doubt, the brightest ringing and fullest tone and crazy loud projection I have ever heard / played was in the link that follows. I know… don’t buy one, but try to play /hear one someday and look at the construction and woods. They are all like that. I was in Montana and heard several against a pre-WWI Martin and, a pre-WWII Gibson and many others head to head. Absolutely amazing what they have learned to do. Bluegrass guys love them because they are so loud yet great tone without amplification. They look good and play like butter, too.

David – Thank you for the info. Although I only play classical guitar now, it was with a dreadnought guitar and a friend’s steel string guitar (not sure about the shape) that I learned my first chords. I’ve read a bit of the history of acoustic guitar construction and I am with you on learning about the different woods.

I tried playing some Martin and Gibson guitars at a local guitar center and they really are amazing instruments. Thanks for the link you attached, the sound clips are wonderful. I’ve seen Collings guitars in magazines and websites, but have not played one yet. Based on the images of their guitars, the craftsmanship is very inspiring and admirable.